Palm Sunday begins with the frenzy that surrounded Jesus' entry into Jerusalem while riding a donkey. The crowds surrounded him, praised him and honored him with hosannas. That shallow joy became the night of mourning at the crucifixion, before the light of sunrise reveals the resurrection, which Christians will celebrate April 4.

Local congregations will conduct services that commemorate the last week of Jesus' life. Some honor his life, the institution of the Lord's Supper, and some mourn the crucifixion, but all finally celebrate the resurrection. Some are elaborate presentations, others simple but no less sincere.

One of those presentations will come from Northside United Pentecostal Church through a multimedia drama called "Hell's Gate Keeper." The drama focuses on a character named Alex, portrayed by Aaron Johnson.

Jesus is the gate keeper to the fiery furnace, whom Alex encounters in a dream, Johnson said.

"The drama is that it's not too late. Jesus paid the price, and the only way to get to hell is to walk past Jesus to get there," Johnson said. "The reality is that no matter how busy we are, serving God is the priority."

Johnson and congregation leaders wrote the drama, which has been staged twice before.

The drama will be presented three times Friday through April 4. See below for location and times.

- Staff writer Cheryl Berzanskis

What follows is a list of worship services marking Easter Sunday. Churches appear in the order that services begin: